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A defensive pistol match for shooters with disabilities

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  • benenglish

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    What other (at least somewhat) defense-focused matches are adaptable for folks with disabilities? GSSF shoots are do-able from a wheelchair. I wonder which others meet that description?
     

    Byrd666

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    This is the only one that I'm aware of, that is paralysis or wheelchair specific. "The stages are going to be designed to minimize movement. There are a couple reasons for this, the most important being to try to equalize the disabilities. If there isn't any movement then it doesn't matter if you're a leg amputee or a paraplegic." The preceding quote is from a gentleman I've been doing some correspondence with on this subject. I can't think of any competitions that I've heard of that are that specific in nature.

    As far as what others could be adapted for the defense type platform, I guess that would depend on space, environment, and terrain. A flat, level, and relatively unobstructed floor area would be ideally needed. Trying to maneuver a loaded wheelchair over rocks and dirt is hard enough, Doing so with only upper body, or only one side of your body, can make it almost impossible. And add water to that situation, or a low sitting mechanized unit, and the headaches can increase exponentially to a point of completely impassable. Use the terrain and or environmental elements of T.S.S.R. as an extremely negative example. Great range when dry... Most of the outdoor ranges I've been to just aren't set up for use by wheelchair users overall. And a lot of indoor ranges aren't necessarily set up for these types of situations due to to space limitations. And I also think that would depend on whether it is static engagement similar to a GSSF setting, or an active engagement, similar to an IDPA setting.

    I do know that there is a professional shooter that is in a wheelchair. As for what division(s) he competes in exactly, is unknown to me. I just remember seeing him a time or two on tv back when I had satellite tv service and could get shows like that a lot more regular. I think, there had been talk at one point, about one of the disciplines setting up a division strictly for the not so able bodied of us. Don't know as it ever really went anywhere, and I've never checked back into it.

    I will say this, I think this would be a awesome experience, and am willing to put a lot of serious consideration in making that trip if they hold this event again in '20. And if anybody here goes, or has a friend or family member go, please report back.
     

    benenglish

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    One of the things I've always loved about the shooting sports is that they are so often accessible for people with disabilities. In most ISSF disciplines, IHMSA, GSSF, some NRA disciplines, and several others, using a wheelchair (for example) is no disadvantage at all.

    What piqued my curiosity was your thread title. A true "defensive pistol match for shooters with disabilities" is something I don't remember ever before encountering. I tend to think of defensive pistol matches as "run 'n gun" affairs so I really like the concept of this match.

    I hope they shoot and post video. I'd love to see how they implement this. Along those lines, I'm a little disappointed that their web site doesn't describe the courses of fire.
     

    Byrd666

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    I hope they shoot and post video. I'd love to see how they implement this. Along those lines, I'm a little disappointed that their web site doesn't describe the courses of fire.

    I was too. As I understand it, reading between the lines here, the course will be laid out per the respondents, easier to make a more level playing field. I had thought of this, and a few other questions and curiosities I had earlier. I'll be writing a note to him shortly to ask. I'll let y'all know what I find out.
     

    Byrd666

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    The below is from a previous response

    "The stages are going to be designed to minimize movement. There are a couple reasons for this, the most important being to try to equalize the disabilities. If there isn't any movement then it doesn't matter if you're a leg amputee or a paraplegic.

    The stages are also going to be designed where you will be able to pick your firearm up off of a table or box so a holster will be convenient but not necessary. You will be able to put your firearm into a box or range bag after each stage. This is to negate that gear requirement, not everyone in a wheelchair has a wheelchair holster and those run $100+ and also for safety. Since we don't know everyone's ability level and we don't have a classifier like IDPA does to ensure knowledge/skill."

    I had asked about firearms, equipment and ammo., so that is what some of those references are to. I am awaiting a response to my latest batch of questions.
     

    Byrd666

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    What piqued my curiosity was your thread title. A true "defensive pistol match for shooters with disabilities" is something I don't remember ever before encountering. I tend to think of defensive pistol matches as "run 'n gun" affairs so I really like the concept of this match.

    Took me a few to get what you were saying here.

    The title was taken from either directly from the FB post title, or from that post description. I figured it would grab attention, so I left it alone. Is it completely accurate in description? Well, probably not. At least not comparing it to the information I received in my e-mails. And I'm still waiting on some clarification and something a bit more descriptive in the course lay-out, scoring, and such.

    Even just the fact that somebody like Sig is willing to promote, and use its' facilities for something like this is good promotion for getting more disabled individuals into the shooting sports.
     

    Byrd666

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    Okay, here's some of what I now know.

    It's called a "Nationals" due to being the only one it's kind, as far as he knows. But, hopefully with enough interest, it can spread to a match with regional qualifiers.

    Most of what is below is directly from my correspondence.

    "My match director is determining the course of fire. It will be similar to what the IDPA Indoor Nationals used to be with some modifications to make it more friendly for people with disabilities and the skill level will be reduced for fun and safety. The IDPA Indoor Nationals were a high level IDPA match and so based off the IDPA classifier we knew that everyone had a base skill level and competition experience. We don't have that with this match.

    Most of the targets will be static. There may be some drop-turn targets or a couple swingers. That is TBD. As for the stage design. The stages are going to be designed with minimal to no movement for a few reasons. It will help balance out the effects of disabilities, it will help/improve safety (again, we don't know the experience level of the competitors we have,) and it will make the match go more quickly which will be important as we are trying to get as many competitors through the match as possible and not be on the range at 9pm.

    You will need to bring any mobility devices that you may need to get around.

    This match is being covered by the Shooting Wire (online media) and by Shooting Gallery TV with Michael Bane"

    This is sounding more and more intriguing as I learn more. And if it's anything like what my mental movie and pictures are showing, this could be an awesome event. Pretty much groundbreaking.
     

    Byrd666

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    I'm officially registered for it. Still don't have much more information than what I previously posted. Hopefully, in the coming weeks and months, I'll have more information to pass along.

    I don't have any connection to this event, other than as an entrant, so please don't think I get something out of this when I ask y'all, as many of you as possible, to please spread the word about this. I just think this could be an awesome thing if it works out.

    https://adaptiveshoot.com/
     

    diesel1959

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    I would love to be involved in something like this; however, I am not traveling to NH to do so. The last eight years in a wheelchair have certainly put a crimp on how and how much I shoot, but competitions like this could really raise up the motivation level.
     

    Byrd666

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    I can guarantee you, I'm not at all happy about going to anywhere on the east coast. And I can unequivocally guarantee I'm not happy about, or looking forward to, sitting in a cigar tube with wings for any length of time.

    But, to be involved with something that could possibly change the face of the shooting sports, yeah, I'm gonna get on that bird and change my underwear two or three time because of it, and have a good time damn it.

    Over and beyond that, I'm looking at this as a hyper level learning experience. To get fifty (as the entrance/competitor limit stands now) people with various and varying degrees of physical abilities in the same room, with the same-ish goal in mind, and to be able to watch, speak with and ask questions of, and learn different techniques and adaptions from, get ideas from, and maybe be able to help another person, all in the same day or two, Yup, I'll be a guinea pig.
     

    Byrd666

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    Noticed that the list of major sponsors is getting quite a bit longer.

    This event looks like it's just getting better and better.
     

    Byrd666

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    Got an e-mail Friday that said everything was still on track and on schedule and that a few more sponsors have climbed aboard.

    Don't have a course of fire yet but, he said it would most likely kept fairly simple due to the shooters being what they/we are.

    Thanks for passing this around.
     

    Byrd666

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    There are still some openings left for this.

    There will also be some training provided. This is per my latest e-mail update. - "Friday, November 1st we will have a training session at the SIG Academy with SIG Academy instructors and instructors from Honored American Veterans Afield's Learn to Shoot Again program. The training will be from 1-5 pm. Anticipate 150 rounds for training and up to 150 rounds for the match."
     

    Byrd666

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    There are still some openings left for this if y'all know anybody that might be interested in this.
     
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    Byrd666

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    Not yet but, I'll be sure to put that on the note that goes in the suggestion box once I get there.
     
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